Resolved, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge the
changing circumstances in the United States and in other nations, as
legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions or domestic
partnerships for gay and lesbian persons is passed in various civil
jurisdictions that call forth a renewed pastoral response from this Church, and
for an open process for the consideration of theological and liturgical
resources for the blessing of same gender relationships; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in
consultation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological and
liturgical resources and report to the 77th General Convention; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in
consultation with the House of Bishops, devise an open process for the conduct
of its work inviting participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations and
individuals who are engaged in such theological work, and inviting theological
reflection from throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within
civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions or domestic
partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the
needs of members of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention honor the theological diversity of
this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this Church be encouraged to engage
in this effort.

The House of Bishops Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music
presented its Report #7 on Resolution C056 (Liturgies for Blessings) and moved
adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(C056)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General
Convention charge the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music with development
of liturgies of blessing for same-gender commitments to be presented to the
next triennial General Convention in 2012 for inclusion in Book of
Occasional Services; and be it further

Resolved, That in the meantime the Ecclesiastical Authority of each
diocese may authorize for use in the diocese liturgies for blessing same-gender
committed relationships of enduring love, mutuality and fidelity; and be it
further

Resolved, That, with respect to such blessings, no bishop or clergy
of this Church or any other person acting on behalf of this Church shall be
required or expected to perform an act contrary to a deeply-held position of
conscience.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the Standing
Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops
Theology Committee, collect and develop theological resources and liturgies of
blessing for same-gender holy unions, to be presented to the 77th General
Convention for formal consideration; and be it further Resolved, That the
Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of
Bishops Theology Committee, devise an open process for the conduct of its work
in this matter, inviting participation from dioceses, congregations and
individuals who are or have already engaged in the study or design of such
rites throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That all bishops, noting particularly those in dioceses
within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions or domestic
partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the
needs of members of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That honoring the theological diversity of this Church, no
bishop or other member of the clergy shall be compelled to authorize or
officiate at such liturgies; and be it further

Resolved, That the Anglican Consultative Council be invited to
conversation regarding this resolution and the work that proceeds from it,
together with other churches in the Anglican Communion engaged in similar
processes.

The Suffragan Bishop in Charge of the Convocation of American Churches in
Europe moved to postpone consideration to a time certain.

Motion defeated

The Bishop Suffragan of Maryland moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the third resolve clause, replace the current text with “Resolved,
That in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage or civil
unions are legal, the bishop may provide a generous pastoral response to meet
the needs of the members of this Church.”

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The Suffragan Bishop in charge of the Convocation of American Churches in
Europe moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the first resolve clause, delete the words “and develop”
and the word “formal.”

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The Bishop of Iowa moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the third resolve clause, replace the current text with
“Resolved, That clergy, under the direction of their bishop, may
provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church
who seek the Church’s support and God’s blessing in their
marriages and other committed relationships ‘characterized by fidelity,
monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful honesty, communication and the
holy love that enables them in such relationships to see in each other the
image of God.’”

The Bishop of Western North Carolina moved to postpone debate on the
proposed amendment until the House obtained a copy of the proposed
amendment.

Motion carried

Debate postponed

The Bishop of Springfield requested a roll call vote at the appropriate
time.

The Bishop of Oklahoma moved to postpone debate to a time certain during the
afternoon session.

Motion carried

Debate postponed

The Bishop of New York moved to postpone further consideration of Resolution
C056 until the Eighth Legislative Day during the afternoon session.

Motion carried

Debate postponed

Debate resumed on Resolution C056.

The Bishop of Iowa withdrew his amendment which was on the floor.

The Presiding Bishop recognized the Bishop of Vermont who explained the work
done by a small group of bishops using the Indaba process.

The Presiding Bishop recognized the Bishop Suffragan of Virginia who moved
to substitute the resolution.

Proposed Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General
Convention acknowledge the changing circumstances in the United States and in
other nations, as legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions
or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian persons is passed in various civil
jurisdictions that call forth a renewed pastoral response from this Church, and
for an open process for the consideration of theological resources and
liturgies for the blessing of same-gender relationships; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in
consultation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological
resources and design liturgies, and report to the 77th General Convention for
further action; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in
consultation with the House of Bishops, devise an open process for the conduct
of its work inviting participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations and
individuals who are engaged in such theological work, and inviting theological
reflection from throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil
jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships
are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members
of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention continue to honor the theological
diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and be it
further

Resolved, That the members of this Church be encouraged to engage in
this effort.

The Presiding Bishop suggested 20 minutes of table conversation.

The Bishop of Minnesota moved an amendment to the substitute.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, replace the word “action” with
the word “consideration.”

The Bishop Suffragan of Dallas moved to amend the amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, delete the words “for further
consideration.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of West Missouri moved an amendment to the substitute.

Proposed Amendment:

In the fifth resolve clause, after the word “sexuality” add
the words “and recognizes that no bishop or other member of the clergy
shall be compelled to authorize or officiate at such liturgies.”

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The Bishop of Ohio moved an amendment to the substitute.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, delete the words “and design
liturgies.” After the word “theological,” add the words
“and liturgical.”

The Bishop of Eastern Michigan moved to amend the amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, delete the words “and
develop.”

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Bishop of Eastern Michigan amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The question was called on the Bishop of Ohio amendment.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Bishop of Ohio amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of Utah moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, delete the words “and report to the
77th General Convention” and replace with the words “and report
to the House of Bishops.”

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

Bishop Theuner moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the fifth resolve clause, delete the words “continue
to.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of Central Florida moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

Delete the sixth resolve clause.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania moved to discharge the
resolution.

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the motion to discharge. The results of the vote were:
Aye, 43; Nay, 93 and Abstain 1.

Motion defeated

The Bishop of Atlanta moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the first resolve clause, delete the words “and liturgies.”
After the word “theological,” insert the words “and
liturgical.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on substitute Resolution C056 as amended. The results of
the vote were: Aye, 104; Nay, 30 and Abstain 2.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message
#204)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music
presented its Report #13 on Resolution C056 (Liturgies for Blessings) and moved
concurrence.

Deputy Fish of Albany on behalf of the Lay and Clergy Deputations of Albany
and the Clergy Deputation of Central Florida called for a Vote by Orders on
Resolution C056.

The President announced that the time for debate had expired.

The President called on the Chaplain for prayer.

Ballot #8 — Vote By Orders

A Vote By Orders was taken on Resolution C056.

Ballot #8 taken by orders

Results of Ballot #8: Vote By Orders on Resolution C056

The President read the results of Ballot #8.

Type

Total

Necessary

Yes

No

Divided

No+Div

Results

Lay:

108

55

78

23

7

30

Carried

Clergy:

108

55

74

27

7

34

Carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message
#356)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 17.

Abstract:

The 76th General Convention requests the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to develop resources on blessings of same gender relationships; and authorizes bishops to provide a pastoral response to the relationships of all Church members.

Notes:

The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music has partnered with the Archives to host the C056 Website, organized to become a permanent digital archive for The Episcopal Church. See http://www.episcopalarchives.org/SCLM/